Technology Careers After Graduation

Professionals with careers in technology have the option to work in numerous fields, including healthcare and business. It is possible to pursue a career in technology in a variety of settings, including fast-paced startups, innovative tech businesses, and tiny IT departments.

Career Paths in Technology

With a degree in technology, numerous specialisations are available, including programming, data management, and information security. Typically, technology workers work in an office setting and spend the most of their time in front of a computer.Explore some of the various job pathways in technical sectors, as well as the required level of education, in the sections that follow.

• Computer Programming Careers
• Computer Science Careers
• Data base management
• Data visualization
• Information systems
• Network security
• Software engineering
• Web development

Technology Career Outlook

The majority of employment in technology require a bachelor’s degree or above. Professionals with a four-year degree can enter a competitive area and find a position that matches their interests.

The employment prognosis for those with a degree in technology varies by field. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates a 22% increase in software developer jobs between 2019 and 2029. The BLS anticipates a 31% increase in demand for information security analysts during the same time. The anticipated average growth rate for all vocations from 2019 to 2029 is 4%.

Although most occupations in technology pay well, incomes vary based on location, education, and experience. The BLS stated in 2019 that the yearly median wage for technology professionals ranged from $54,760 for computer support experts to $122,840 for computer and information research scientists.

How to Begin a Profession in Technology

The majority of entry-level technology jobs require a bachelor’s degree. However, certain positions, such as web developer, require only an associate degree to begin. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in technology enables students to enter the workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Determine whatever field of technology most interests you. You can then conduct research on colleges and their relevant technical programmes. The majority of postsecondary institutions provide technology programmes at various levels and in several forms, including online and in-person classes.

Questions about programme characteristics and admission requirements can always be directed to programme advisors and admissions departments. This resource might also help you learn more about picking the right college.

Education

In general, four sorts of degrees are available to students: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. Each degree offers a unique level of difficulty and area of expertise. Students should select the degree programme that best supports their employment objectives.

Associate Degrees

A technology associate’s degree includes introductory courses in areas such as scripting and operating systems. Typically, students must earn 60 credits to graduate, which takes around two years. Most institutions offer online and on-campus associate degree programmes.

Associate degrees offer limited opportunities for specialisation. The following are examples of classes for an associate’s degree in information technology:

Computer system software

Foundational aspects of information technology

Computer system protection

Cross-platform innovations

Project management

Graduates with an associate degree in technology are prepared for either further education or the workforce.

After finishing an associate degree, students can frequently transfer into a four-year programme if they chose to continue their study. The majority of institutions permit students to utilise all 60 credits toward a bachelor’s degree.

With an associate degree in technology, graduates can enter the industry and pursue employment in web development or computer and network technical support. In general, professionals with an associate degree receive lesser earnings than those in comparable roles with a bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s Degrees

Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete. By enrolling in an accelerated programme, students can get their diplomas more rapidly. Most bachelor’s degrees require 120 credits.

Bachelor’s degrees in technology expand on the foundations of computer science and frequently allow students to specialise in data analytics, software development, or project management. These majors prepare students for certain post-graduation careers.

The following are examples of courses for a bachelor’s degree in information technology:

The delivery of computing as a service

IT operations planning and system design

Internet-based services

Risk management and mitigation in systems design

User-centered systems design and assessment

Some graduates decide to pursue a graduate degree after receiving a bachelor’s degree. However, the majority of jobs in this profession require simply a bachelor’s degree. Consequently, many graduates enter the workforce immediately.

Career options include the following:

Developer of software Network and computer system administrator

Analyst in information security

Administrator of databases Systems analyst

Master’s Degrees

The majority of colleges offer master’s degree programmes in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. A technology master’s degree delves into advanced material. These programmes admit students who have already mastered the prerequisite coursework.

Students can earn a master’s degree in one to two years, depending on the number of credits required and their enrollment status. Most master’s programmes demand between 36 and 54 credits.

Master’s degrees in technology provide a high level of specialisation, allowing students to choose a subject that directly applies to their career objectives. Database design, software application development, information security, and healthcare informatics are among the concentrations from which students can select.

Master’s degree programmes emphasise only advanced, technical, and theoretical coursework. The majority of master’s degree programmes also require a culminating project, which frequently entails original research and/or a thesis paper.

Examples of courses include the ones below:

The advancement of information technology

Communications and network architecture

Object-oriented software engineering

Technical correspondence

Information technology project management and team leadership

This degree prepares students for managerial positions and vocations such as computer and information researcher. Those with this degree also tend to earn greater wages and rise in their careers more rapidly.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctoral degrees provide the greatest level of complexity and breadth of knowledge in a specific discipline. The majority of PhD programmes take 4 to 7 years and 60 to 120 credits to finish.

Doctoral programmes require participants to conduct extensive, original research, culminating in a dissertation that students must defend in front of a faculty committee. Typically, students work with a faculty advisor who assists them with their research and directs them through the dissertation writing process.

The following are examples of courses for a PhD degree in computer science:

Artificial intelligence and data mining

Frontiers of artificial intelligence: technical, ethical, and societal

Mathematical and computational biology

Probabilistic graphical model reasoning

Neural networks and sophisticated learning

This degree prepares students for any career that demands a bachelor’s or master’s degree for advancement. Doctoral degree holders can pursue managerial positions. Additionally, they can seek employment as postsecondary instructors in their profession.

Certifications and/or Licensure

Certification and licensure can assist technology professionals grow in their jobs. Typically, a government entity at the federal, state, or local level grants a licence. However, few occupations in technology require a licence to practise.

Certification is typically attained through professional organisations. Numerous occupations in technology require certification, which proves expert knowledge and abilities in a certain area. Typically, candidates for certification must pass an initial exam, and credentials must be updated every few years.

Information security analysts, for instance, should actively consider obtaining certification. The International Information System Security Certification Consortium offers certification to information security professionals. Workers may also pursue more specialised choices, such as the Information Assurance Certification Review Board’s certification in penetration testing.

Be sure to explore specific career expectations and/or see a career counsellor to discover if certification or licensure might help you thrive in your desired field.

Continuing Education

Continuing education affords professionals the opportunity to upgrade their professions or embark on new career paths. There are three primary forms of continuing education: getting a new degree, finishing a certificate programme, and acquiring continuing education units (CEUs).

To advance their professions, several professionals pursue a second degree. For instance, although the majority of database administrators only require a bachelor’s degree, acquiring a master’s degree in this sector can lead to promotions and greater compensation. A second degree can also assist professionals shift careers by providing them with fresh information and abilities.

The majority of universities also offer subject-specific certificate programmes, which are often completed in less than a year. In addition to CEUs and online courses, professionals can use CEUs and online courses to stay abreast of new technologies and theories in their industry. Many of these online courses are offered for free.

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